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The Troup County School Board held their March work session on Tuesday, where longtime school employees were recognized. 

The school district continued its celebration of longtime TCSS employees. During last month’s meeting they recognized the 56 employees who had worked for the school district for 10 years with plaques. There are 26 employees who have been with the school district for 20 years or more.

There were eight staff members who have been there for 30 years: Eloise Thompson (Callaway Elementary), Deborah Lanier (Callaway Middle), Stacye Smith (Ethel Kight Elementary), Kimbrough Crawford (Franklin Forest Elementary), Jerry Williams (Hollis Hand Elementary), Ernest Ward (Long Cane Elementary), Judy Yawn (Exceptional Education) and Timothy Hester (Maintenance and Operations). 

A special emphasis was given to Mike Cason of the Technology Department as the longest-serving TCSS employee with 42 and a half years under his belt. 

“Through trials and celebrations, Mike has been the cornerstone of his kids and theirs,” said board member Kevin Dunn during Cason’s introduction. “He has spent a lifetime serving with distinction in various roles at TCSS.”

Cason began his career at Fulton County Schools, where he worked for 11 years before coming to LaGrange. At that time, the Troup County School District as we know it did not exist. Troup was split into four school districts–Troup, LaGrange, Hogansville and West Point. He worked for the LaGrange City Schools, then taught social studies at Troup High and LaGrange High before being promoted to Computer Consultant. 

He eventually became Director of Technology. He would return to the department as an Administrative Assistant in 2023, which will be his last move. Cason plans to retire at the end of this school year.

“Mike has been a mentor to so many. From the early days of learning how to use computers with punch cards right down to last month working with the Technology Director on how to deal with USAC. Mike has consistently been a leader in technology and beyond, both in the way he operates and in the opportunities he has made available to others,” Dunn ended. 

Cason made his remarks short, with a “thank you.”